| Group: | Malik |
| Popplace: | Pakistan |
| Langs: | Punjabi • Urdu |
| Rels: | Islam • Christianity |
Please note that ‘Malik’ is a title and not a caste. The following information pertains to individuals with the name ‘Malik’ rather than a specific social or cultural group.
‘Malik’ is a title refers to individuals associated with the Punjabi Pathans of the Kakazai Pashtun tribe and Muslim Rajputs, specifically as Malik Kakazai. However, deciphering the shajra or genealogy of the Malik clan might be challenging due to factors such as incomplete historical records, variations in family accounts, and the complexity of tracing lineage across time and regions.
The earliest use of the Malik title is recorded to be by Local Punjabi seed oil extractors and vendors referring to themselves as Malik Teli. The Malik title now refers to multiple groups.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that the Malik clan is often associated with the Awan caste,who began using the title upon emigrating from Pashtun lands. Before the advent of the Awan tribes the title of 'Malik' was widely in use by the local Malik Teli population which were famous for extraction of seed oils. Now the Malik title is used for both these castes simultaneously. For more information on the Awan caste, you can refer to Awan Caste. Malik title is also widely used by Muslim Rajputs.
The Malik (Punjabi/Urdu: {{nq|مَلِک) are a clan of Punjabi Pathans found in Pakistan. They are part of the greater Kakazai Pashtun tribe, often referring to themselves as Malik Kakazai. They are descendants of the Pashtun emigrants originally from northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly of Dir and Malakand, whom settled in Punjab in the late 18th century. Despite Pashtun roots, they have become culturally and linguistically Punjabi and lost touch with the Pashto language and Pashtun traditions. A significant number of Malik Kakazai reside in Sialkot among other Kakazai clans, as well as in Rawalpindi.